When to start the application?

[steve007]

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Hey,
could somebody tell me when to start the application process? I'm taking the mcat this april and hoping to start fall 04. thanks alot.

 

[JM.]

as soon as it comes out on AMCAS

 

[Deuce 007 MD]

Word. Get all the info on the application up as soon as you can, even before your mcat scores come back. So when scores do comeback all you have to do is choose schools and submit it. Because when the scores do come back everybody and their moms is going to be tryin to certify and submit their application, which well only slow down the server.

 

[Green912]

Don't worry about any part of the application process until after the April MCAT. When you've recovered from that get busy with the first draft of your personal statement. The rest of the application is just data entry, but the one page statement needs to be well thoughout and well written. You'll probably go through 5-6 drafts. So after the MCAT get busy writing it, then when June 1st comes around you'll be pretty much set.

 

[filmdoc26]

Yup yup...don't even sweat the AMCAS until AFTER the MCAT. Try and finish your primary no later than the first week of July, but preferrably mid to late June. Try and get your secondaries out between mid to late August. It helps to stay ahead of the game. Best of luck!

 

[surfsup]

Out of curiosity, when does amcas make the application available? Thanks

 

[streetdoc]

surfsup, i think it will be available in early june...check the AAMC website for dates, but check back often as the dates tend to change.

to the OP, i came home from the MCAT and started working on my statement. you may also want to get a copy of your transcripts for your own use since you will have to enter it into the AMCAS. also, be sure to look it over so if there is a mistake, you won't be delaying the AMCAS to get it fixed. just my advice.
best of luck
streetdoc

 

[carrigallen]

Read the thread entitled, "Complete guide to applying.." by Jalby.

AMCAS becomes available ~June 10. You should already have sent your transcripts to AMCAS by then. You should already have the MCAT taken by then (you won't have the scores yet though). You should already have your letters of recommendation put together. You should already have your personal statement put together.

Don't rush submitting the application; treat the extracurriculars as micro-paragraphs to describe your activity.

Most people scramble to submit the primary, but afterwards realize your work now is just *beginning*. In a few weeks you will have secondaries pouring into your mailbox faster than you can open them. Start writing extra essays (besides your personal statement) which address the general types of secondary essay question. ie what have you been doing over the summer/year off, what makes you unique etc.

 

[surfsup]

I think I'm confused, I think in Jalby's "complete guide. . " he said we should start inputing our info(courses, ec's etc) now. But you guys are saying its available in june? By available do you ready to send out or available to input data? What gives? Thanks

 

[pocwana]

aamc makes the online form available to fill out before they actually let you submit it to the schools. what sdn'ers are saying is that you should start filling it out right now (or after april mcat which i would suggest). but aamc won't let you submit the amcas app until around june 10 or so. gluck.

 

[XCanadianRagwee]

The 2004 AMCAS usually isn't available until Mid-May to Ealry June. About the only thing you really need to worry about is your personal statement. I'm workign on mine right now. Since I"M a re-applicant I don't have to type in as much junk as y'all will. Also get your LORs NOW

I repeat..get your LORs STAT.
I repeat...your LORs...get them now.

Why? just do a search on all the complaints of obtaining LORs and you will quickly understand.

 

[MedQuest]

What about for August MCAT takers?

 

[Bostonienses]

Can someone help me here? Are you meant to send your LORs WITH your AMCAS, or only to the individual schools? Thanks!

 

[isidella]

Originally posted by Bostonienses
Can someone help me here? Are you meant to send your LORs WITH your AMCAS, or only to the individual schools? Thanks!

The ONLY thing you send to AMCAS is your transcript (request you undergrad institution to send an official copy). You cannot sned it too early though or it will be bumped back to you. Check AMCAS website for details.

Send LORs to individual schools.

 

[lola]

Originally posted by MedQuest
What about for August MCAT takers?

submit your primary in june, study hard for the mcat, take it, and try to finish secondaries by mid-september. most schools will not give you a deadline to return your secondary and most will give you a secondary before seeing your mcat.
a few exceptions that i know of: wake forest, loyola, & stanford wait to give secondaries until seeing your august scores. the uc's may wait as well, though they might give you a secondary before seeing your scores if you're lucky.

 

[lola]

re: the uc's

yes, you must fill out the uc application in addition to the amcas primary. some uc's require it (most i think), some don't. you will have to go to each uc's website to determine their policy. i ended up sending one to each uc even though i think one or two didn't require it. i'm not sure if they will have the uc app this year, but the best way to find out is by reading sdn and going to uc med school websites.

 

[lattimer13]

start your AMCAS april 27 and get it done in time to submit when AMCAS starts transmitting to schools in early june.

also, if you can't start working on the 2004 AMCAS that early, a friend of mine that applied this year said he filled out the entering class of 2002 AMCAS (just for fun) and saved everything and all his info just transferred over to AMCAS 2003 entering class when he went to apply this year. thus, he had pretty much everything done.

 

[DW]

Originally posted by XCanadianRagwee
I repeat..get your LORs STAT.
I repeat...your LORs...get them now.
I repeat..get your LORs STAT.
I repeat...your LORs...get them now.
I repeat..get your LORs STAT.
I repeat...your LORs...get them now.
I repeat..get your LORs STAT.
I repeat...your LORs...get them now.
I repeat..get your LORs STAT.
I repeat...your LORs...get them now.

quoting for emphasis